System and method for using time-sensitive tickets as player awards in gaming machines

ABSTRACT

Gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods for awarding time-sensitive tickets in a gaming environment are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a game display for presenting a game having one or more winning game outcomes. The gaming machine also includes one or more network interfaces that is in communication with a ticket database that provides time-sensitive tickets. The gaming machine also includes a game controller in communication with the game display and the network interfaces. The game controller awards one or more time-sensitive tickets in response to one or more triggering events.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/391,295, filed Mar. 17, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/366,026, filed Mar. 19, 2002, allof which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains generally to gaining machines. Moreparticularly, the present invention discloses a method and apparatus forproviding gaming machines with time-sensitive awards in a dynamicmanner, enabling tickets to be purchased by the casino only when aticket is actually won by a player.

2. The Prior Art

Traditional Las Vegas style slot machines are generally well known. Inparticular, the slot machines have a display area visible to a playerthat allows viewing of either physical slot reels, reel strips, or videodisplays showing pseudo-reels. The reels either spin or appear to spin,stopping with various game indicia visible to the user through a viewingarea or display.

In addition to the primary game, an increasing number of games have abonus game or secondary game. Typical of this type of game is “Wheel OfFortune”®, which upon a winning event in the primary game, lets a playerhit a button that spins a wheel. When the wheel stops, and the player'sbonus is increased by an amount indicated by the pointer or wheelindicator.

Other games play in an essentially similar way. A player plays theprimary game until a triggering-went occurs (i.e., certain symbols showup on the paylines of the reels, etc.). The game then enters a bonus orsecondary game, where in some manner additional points (game credits)are awarded. This may be the spin of a wheel, an animated sequence wherethe player is made to believe they have input by pushing a button ortouching the screen during the animation, or some type of fixed displaysequence which results in an additional bonus. In all cases, some amountof additional game play points are awarded to the player. That completesthe bonus or secondary game play.

The other common way in which players can win something more than atraditional jackpot is to play on a machine that is part of aprogressive. Upon the occurrence of a winning event, in addition to anyjackpot won on the local machine, a player also wins an amount shown onthe progressive jackpot meter. The progressive jackpot meter istypically a single display above a bank of machines, showing the amountof money a player could win if they play on a machine in that bank, andhit the progressive jackpot.

These types of gaming machine enhancements are very limited, involvingthe win of additional game credits or a progressive jackpot. There is aneed to provide additional player excitement upon the occurrence of awinning event, but in a manner that enables casinos to properly managethe award costs and the cash flow associated with any given prize oraward.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a method and system that allows gamingestablishments to use time-sensitive tickets (“time-sensitive” includesbut is not limited to tickets for events including sports events, travelpackages, concerts, reservations at specified restaurants, etc.). In thepast it has been much too difficult to use tickets, which have arelatively short lifespan for prizes associated with game play in agaming environment. The system of the present invention, however, allowsthe use of tickets with very limited lifespan to be used as prizes in agaming establishment. “Gaming establishment” includes traditionalNevada-style casinos, Amerindian casinos, bingo halls, and any otherplace where players win or lose money based on games whose outcomes arefully or partially determined by purely random events.

This is accomplished by providing real-time, online access from a gamingestablishment to a ticket database on a computer at a ticket seller'sestablishment. It is preferable that the ticket database be the primarysource of the tickets (airline's reservations database, promoter'sdatabase, travel package tickets from the originator of the entirepackage, etc.) but may be indirect, such as from a travel agency.

In addition to the online access, the present method involves a low- tono-risk allocation of tickets to the gaming establishment, coupled withadditional discounts to the gaming establishment to make the ticketslook better to the players who win them. This is accomplished byallocating a block of tickets for the gaming establishment (“casino” forshort, but is understood to include bingo halls and the like as well astraditional casinos), as ticket awarding events occur at the casino.However, the block is not allocated exclusively to the casino; it issimply the maximum number of tickets that may be purchased and thenawarded to players for that ticket event by the casino. The tickets inthat block may also be sold by the airlines, promoter, etc. This allowsthe casino to arrange a below normal discount (steeper discount rate)for those tickets than the average reseller gets. If the tickets are“hot” and the tickets are all or mostly sold through normal,higher-margin resellers; in such a case the promoters, airlines, etc.,will sell all or most of the tickets at the normal rate. The casino mayaward a few as time goes on, but will not use many if the event sellsout quickly. This limits the downside for the organization selling theextra discount tickets to the casinos. On the other hand if the event isundersold, the extra sales made through the casinos are all welcomed toreduce losses or make minimal margins (are “found sales” or “freesales”, as ordinarily there would be no sales through the casinos, andno marketing money has been spent to reach that channel).

A value is assigned by the casino for each ticket, preferably being morethan what the casino paid but less than full retail, enabling anapparent higher payback to be given to players (from the player'sperspective). That assigned value is then used to associate the ticketswith game events having the same value (equivalent cash value). Insteadof giving cash for this game event when it occurs, once the associationis made the casino will award a ticket instead. This association ispreferably made in software, using pointers to go from certain entriesin a payout table to the issuance of a ticket rather than a cash awardbeing dispensed. When the tickets are no longer available (for anyreason), the tickets are disassociated from the payout table and revertto equivalent cash awards.

In addition to being awarded for a specific game event on a specificgame, the tickets may also be awarded upon the occurrence of playerloyalty events (how much the player is at the casino, how much theyspend, etc.). In this case, the tickets would be paid from casinopromotional money rather than as a percentage of player's wagers.Tickets may further be used with progressive pools, forming part or allof the prize when a game hits.

Note that although the allocated pool may be sold by two or moreentities, an agreement between the ticket sellers and the casino doesnot have to be made on such an arrangement. Alternate arrangements arepossible while still enabling a casino to be treated to steeperdiscounts, or, in some cases, a casino may simply be willing to pay thenormal going rate for particularly popular events (i.e., baseball worldseries tickets). All such variations are considered herein.

Further, there is an additional way of using the present invention whenthere will be a predictable series of tickets available for relatedevents over an extended time period (a sports season, a concert season,etc.). A block of tickets will be allocated to the casino on a rollingtime basis. As one event is either sold out or the time has come for theevent, there will be another allocated block of tickets for the nextevent in the season; when that one is sold out of past, then the ticketsbeing sold are from the next event, and so on. This also works extremelywell for multiple events, allowing multiple allocated blocks of ticketsfor different events being available at the same time. Players can thenchoose what they like, rather than having to accept a single type ofticket (i.e., a sports event vs. a symphony orchestra concert vs.reservations at a desirable restaurant).

According to one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a game displayfor presenting a game having one or more winning game outcomes. Thegaming machine also includes one or more network interfaces that is incommunication with a ticket database that provides time-sensitivetickets. The gaming machine also includes a game controller incommunication with the game display and the network interfaces. The gamecontroller awards one or more time-sensitive tickets in response to oneor more triggering events.

In another embodiment, gaming systems capable of awarding time-sensitivetickets in a gaming environment are disclosed herein. The gaming systemincludes a ticket sales system having access to a ticket database. Thegaming system also includes a gaming establishment network computer incommunication with the ticket sales system, wherein the gamingestablishment network computer is configured to monitor the ticketdatabase and to reserve or purchase one or more time-sensitive tickets.The gaming system also includes a plurality of networked gamingmachines, wherein the gaming machines are in communication with thegaming establishment network computer, and wherein the networked gamingmachines are capable of awarding time-sensitive tickets in response toone or more triggering events.

In addition to gaming machines and gaming systems, methods for awardingtime-sensitive tickets in a gaming environment are disclosed herein.According to one method, access to a ticket database managed by a ticketprovider is established. A block of time-sensitive tickets from theticket database is then allocated to a gaming establishment, wherein oneor more time-sensitive tickets from the block of tickets are purchasableby the gaming establishment. The time-sensitive tickets are associatedwith one or more trigger events in the gaming environment, and one ormore tickets are reserved in response to a trigger event beingestablished. One or more time-sensitive tickets then are awarded to aplayer in response to the trigger event.

In another method, access to a ticket database managed by a ticketprovider is established. A block of time-sensitive tickets from theticket database is then allocated to a gaming establishment, wherein oneor more time-sensitive tickets from the block of tickets are purchasableby the gaming establishment. The tickets are associated with one or morewinning game events in the gaming environment. A determination is madeas to whether a game outcome is a winning game event, and one or moretime-sensitive tickets are reserved in response to the winning gameevent. The time-sensitive tickets are then awarded to a player if thetickets are available. Otherwise, the player is awarded a cash award forthe winning game event if the tickets are not available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a system and infrastructure according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method of using time-sensitive awardsto enhance game attractiveness according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a gaming system for use with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing additional methods of usingtime-sensitive tickets as awards in a gaming environment according tothe present invention.

FIG. 5 is another flow diagram showing an additional method of usingtime-sensitive tickets as awards in a gaming environment according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Persons of ordinary skill in the art and with the benefit of the presentdisclosure will realize that the following description of the presentinvention is illustrative only, and is not limiting. Other embodimentsof the invention will readily suggest themselves when such skilledpersons have the benefit of the present disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the presentinvention is shown embodied in FIGS. 1 through 5. It will be appreciatedthat the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of theparts without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein.The methods may vary as to details, partitioning, repetition, actionsvaried and the order of the acts, without departing from the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a system according to the presentinvention. There must be at least one travel industry computer 100having a tickets or reservations database on storage 102 that is onlineto computer 100 (i.e., an online reservations or ticket sales system).Computer 100 is accessible by a casino computer 104 (typically a backendmachine not on the casino floor) which will typically have its own astorage and database 106. The connection must be a real-time connection,shown as Internet cloud connection 118. It may be any type of wide areaconnection, or even a local area connection if the travel industryonline system is in close proximity to the casino backend system.

“Real-time” means that as tickets and/or travel packages are sold, orfor any reason become unavailable for use by a casino as recorded by thetravel agency's or travel industry's reservations database, the casino'scomputer can be informed within a very short amount of time (typicallyin less than a minute, preferably within a few seconds). There areseveral ways of achieving this using WAN/LAN technology, including theuse of a web page interface on the reservations database computer by acasino. Any such network based enabling configuration is contemplated bythe present invention. Each installation will decide which connectivitymeans best suits its needs and existing network infrastructure.

Casino computer 104 keeps its data about the availability of travelpackages that may be won by a patron updated, as explained above. Casinocomputer 104 then uses the information to create more attractivewinnings for players, communicating with internal (to the casino, or setof casinos) displays (114) or individual gaming machines (110).

The communications links between a Casinos' backend computer anddisplays associated with banks of machines and/or individual gamingmachines is known, and may include an Ethernet backbone connection tofloor controllers, with the floor controllers connected to individualgaming machines using serial interfaces. Alternatively, the backendcomputers may be linked to both individual gaming machines(alternatively just visual displays thereon) and displays associatedwith banks of machines. Other configurations may be used as well; anysuch operable networked connection is contemplated by the presentinvention. FIG. 1 shows the casino's network connections generally asconnections 106 and 108, which are understood to include any operablenetwork connection between a casino's backend computer system andindividual gaming machines, banks of machines (for progressive-typetravel awards), and displays associated with banks of gaming machines orstand-alone displays used for promotional purposes.

For systems having displays on individual gaming machines, displaylocations may be in any place visible to the user to be operable withthe present invention. Gaming machine 110 could have small LCD displayson any surface pointed to by 112 and perform the needed functions of thepresent invention. Gaming machines could also use a portion of a largervideo display typically on the slanted surface of gaming machine 110 (a“screen within a screen”), or may have a smaller, separate video displaynear the primary display. All such display variations are contemplatedby the present invention. The important functions any such display musthave is to be visible to a player using the machine, and to be able tobe updated on an ongoing basis by responding to signals sent by casinocomputer 104, using the networked connection 106.

For cases where the travel awards or other time-sensitive tickets are tobe won based on a progressive-style event, meaning more than one gamingmachine is contributing to the cost of a travel award and/or more thanone gaming machine may allow a player to win the same award, then apreferred embodiment will use casino computer 104 and network connection108 to communicate with display 114 (also connected to a bank of gamingmachines 116). A description of the travel award, its retail value, andthe number of travel awards available will be displayed in a “playerattract mode”. Note that this connectivity allows gaming machines 116 toparticipate in both a progressive-style travel award win, and havetravel awards winnable on only specific individual gaming machines. Thismay be desirable when two price levels of travel awards are beingpromoted by a casino at the same time. A relatively inexpensive travelaward (i.e., a weekend in Hawaii) may be won on certain individualgaming machines, while more expensive travel packages (i.e., a month onthe French Riviera, with 2-day stops in various other cities) areavailable as a progressive-style win.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method using blocks of dynamically allocabletickets from a travel agency or a member of the travel industry (i.e.,an airline's reservations database directly, rather than through anagent), the casino's backend computer system, and dynamicallyaddressable displays visible to players on the casino floor to createenhanced player interest in gaming through more attractive awards.

Box 200 is the starting point, where the actions corresponding to thisbox include providing a casino with a block of travel tickets (or asporting event or other time-sensitive tickets). This block of ticketswill typically have a reduced wholesale price negotiated between theagency or provider of the event or travel package. In a preferredembodiment, the casino will not pay for the tickets up front. Rather, ablock of tickets is provided that may be used by both parties.Preferably, the agency or service provider will use non-allocatedtickets first, then, on an as needed basis as the event or travelpackage shows signs of selling out using normal distribution channels,the block of tickets allocated to the casino will be sold. Because thecasino has an operable real-time connection (as explained above) withthe agency's or provider's database, as tickets are removed fromavailability to the casino, the casino's computer will update itself andmake the current availability known to players. Note that this is agreat way to create excitement amongst players—if they want this travelpackage, they must play to win the triggering event on an eligiblegaming machine. If a player wins a ticket during game play, the casinoindicates that a ticket from its pool is now purchased, and notavailable to either other players in the casino nor available to sellthrough the agency's or provider's normal ticket distribution means.Payment between the casino and the agency/provider is as previouslyarranged between the two; typically it will be fairly immediate throughan online transfer but may simply be invoiced by the agency/provider,after the casino indicates it has reserved a ticket from its block, on atimely basis to the casino.

Continuing into block 202, the displays on or near gaming machines willbe updated by a casino computer with (as the casino sees fit);descriptions of the time-sensitive item (travel package, event ticket);retail value; and, number of such prizes currently available (note: theinternal prize level of the ticket will typically be less than theretail value, although that is not required). Depending on the displaycapabilities, attract modes may further include digitized picturesdepicting the package or event. Box 202 is left and box 204 entered.

The actions corresponding to box 204 include a player enabling the gamefor play. This may be the presentation of a voucher to a player I/Odevice, cash input to the gaming machine, EFT transfer, or any othermeans of establishing game play credits on the gaming machine. Aftergame play starts in box 204, diamond 206 is entered.

The decision corresponding to diamond 206 is to determine if a gamewinning event has occurred after a game play. This could be any gamewinning event as defined by the game itself, or, if a progressive-styleaward is available, the occurrence of a progressive winning event (whichmay or may not depend on the gaming results of the individual gamingmachine). If there is a winning event, diamond 206 is left via the “YES”exit to box 212.

The actions corresponding to box 212 includes enhanced playerrecognition by using the display in communication with the casino'sbackend computer, update of the number of tickets remaining after thiswin (both on the player-visible display and with the providing agency'sreservations database), and the printing of a redeemable voucher orticket, or an attendant call (the attendant will do any needed paperworkto deliver a ticket, possibly including filling out a W4G). Box 212 isleft for diamond 208.

The decision corresponding to diamond 208 is if the player is continuingto play or is leaving the game. If the player decides to leave the game,the “NO” exit is taken from diamond 208 and box 202 is re-entered,continuing the process with the actions corresponding to that box.

If the player wishes to continue to play, the “YES” exit is taken to box210. The actions corresponding to box 210 include the player continuingplay by invoking a next game event, and, optionally, using one or moredynamic displays in a continuing player attract mode. As soon as aplayer has triggered a next game event, box 210 is left and diamond 206is re-entered.

Returning to diamond 206 from above, if the game event had no winningevent then the “NO” exit is taken to diamond 208. The actionscorresponding to diamond 208 are explained immediately above; the playerdecides to keep playing or not.

Referencing FIG. 3, shown is a gaming machine 300 with one or moredisplays 302 usable with the present invention. Displays 302 arepreferably LCD displays, but can be any visual media. The gaming machine300 has the standard components, including reel display 304, playerinput or control buttons 306, player input devices 310 (includingplayer's card magnetic stripe card reader, bill acceptor or voucherreader/printer, smart card dock, and/or other player devices), gamecabinet base 308, and networking interfaces 312 (the top one,corresponding to connection 314, is an ethernet interface; the bottomtwo, corresponding to connections 316 and 318, are serial interfaces).Included but not shown are the internal mechanical, electrical, andlogical components needed in an average gaming machine.

Also shown is a floor controller 322, typically used for functionsincluding translating serial protocols to general LAN protocols,typically to ethernet-based TCP/IP, as well as keeping variousaccounting and state information in case of a power hit to the games.Floor controller 322 then communicates with backend system 328 via LANconnection 324.

Shown is an alternate control path for the game's top box containingplayer visible display(s) 302. One is connecting the top box videooutput to video controllers (in the gaming machine's top box,controllers and video drive circuitry not shown) run by output sentdirectly by backend computer 328 over a backbone LAN 320 via connection314 to the LAN (preferably ethernet) port into the top box. Any means orpath can be used as long as display information visible to a player maybe updated via electronic communications for high frequencytime-sensitive awards (lower cost and often won awards or tickets,expected to be awarded on a daily basis, including more than one perday, rather than a once-a-week or less frequent basis).

Referring to FIG. 4A, shown is one time-sensitive award method. Startingin box 400, a designated block of preferably specially discountedtickets is made available at a travel agency, sports ticket outlet, ordirectly from a supplier of such things (i.e., an airline, a sportsteam, an event promoter, etc.) in an online database. “Tickets” isunderstood to include but is not limited to any type and any price levelof time-sensitive purchases such as: travel packages; entertainmentpackages including but not limited to such traditional packages asweekend getaways; a concert with dinner and transportation; asignificant sports event with a weekend or overnight stay andtransportation to the location, plus meals; a local event's entrance feeonly; and/or anything similar, where one basic component is that thetiming is fixed (i.e., the event happens on a specific date: the travelpackage expires in 2 months and must be used in a fixed time periodafter that, the concert date, the sports event date, the restaurantreservations date, etc.). Part of allocating the block of tickets willbe to establish a value, from a payout perspective, that will beassigned to each ticket. Box 400 is left for box 402.

The actions corresponding with box 402 include those needed to associatethe value a ticket with a win event. Note that in general, there are twoways to associate tickets with events. One is to individual eventoccurrences on individual games, which upon occurrence will result in aticket being awarded to the player of the game. In this case, when aspecific symbol sequence occurs, instead awarding a cash prize theticket associated with this event will be awarded (as an exemplar ofsuch a game machine currently operating in Nevada-style casinos, SierraDesign Group, Inc., of Reno, Nev. has a game that awards jewelry toplayers upon certain winning events rather than cash—this same type ofmachine could readily award tickets rather than jewelry). The other isto associate the tickets with progressive or bonus events, where thetriggering event may or may not be related to any specific event on anindividual machine (e.g., may be a “surprise bonus” or “mystery win”that is awarded upon the occurrence of non-game events or upon theoccurrence of a game event on a machine different than the game on whichthe player being awarded the ticket is playing). Various other specificways of assigning tickets of specified value to be awarded as prizes toplayers will come to the mind of a person of ordinary skill in thegaming arts and with the benefit of the present disclosure, and arefully contemplated by the present invention. Each casino will decide foreach block of tickets how they want to use the tickets as prizes toreward play.

Details for methods of awarding a ticket physically to the player arenot given in detail, but include hand-pays by casino attendants,printing a voucher with the award redemption information on it to theplayer, and having tickets physically present in compartments in thegame machine's top box which are electronically opening upon theoccurrence of an award event. A plurality of such methods is readilyavailable at all casinos; the casino will choose which one most suitsits particular needs.

Box 402 is left for box 404. The actions associated with this box arethose where players commence play on gaming machines having tickets asawards or prizes. Diamond 406 is entered next, where there is acontinual test if a game event has occurred that is associated with aticket. If the game event is not one associated with a ticket, then the“No” exit is taken back to box 404 and the box 404/diamond 406 loopcontinues. If the game event is one associated with a ticket, then the“Yes” exit is taken to box 408.

The actions corresponding to box 408 are to update the online database,showing one of the tickets in the allocated block as sold. Note that itis assumed there is a ticket to be sold—this is because it is expectedthat if the tickets are no longer available it will be the case that theonline system will notify the casino, which will in turn disassociatethe tickets from any game events. This is discussed further below. Theonline database is updated and box 408 is left for box 410. The actionscorresponding to the box 410 are to award the ticket to the player inwhatever fashion the casino had previously decided (print voucher orwinning ticket to be cashed in, hand pay with casino personnel, issueticket from a compartment in the game similar to the Sierra DesignGroup® Raining Diamonds® game, etc.).

Continuing on with 4B, which shows the end events surrounding theunavailability of tickets, the process starts at box 412. The actionscorresponding with box 412 include: awarding the last ticket from theallocated block so that when updating the online database the remainingticket count goes to 0; being notified by the owner of the onlinedatabase that the ticket count went to 0; being notified the package ortickets have been cancelled; being notified that the purchase deadlinehas passed; or, other reasons for the tickets to become unavailable forsale to the casino, therefore unavailable as prizes. In all cases theinitiating event is the casino being notified that these tickets are nolonger available. Box 412 is left for diamond 414.

The actions corresponding to diamond 414 are to determine if otherblocks or tickets at the same value are currently available. If theanswer is yes, the “Yes” exit is taken to box 418. The actionscorresponding to box 418 are to determine the one or more ticket blocks,currently available, at the same level (pricing level or associatedprize level) as the now expired or exhausted ticket block. If there ismore than one, then a selection is made on which tickets to offer asawards in place of the recently exhausted ones. In some cases this willbe readily apparent; for example, if the game is a sports themed gamesuch as baseball, and the prior tickets were for a baseball relatedevent, then if there is another baseball related event that would bechosen. Any such criteria may be used by the casino, including a randomselection. After choosing a next replacement, the newly selectiontickets are associated with the win event. Box 418 is left for box 420.

Returning to diamond 414, if there are no more allocated tickets at thesame level, then the “No” exit is taken to box 416. The actionscorresponding to this box are any needed to disassociate the ticketawards from any game event. The game event (for individual games) willrevert to the cash award; for progressive and/or bonus awards, there maybe a cash equivalent of that particular event(s), or that prize or awardmay simply be eliminated (no payout occurs for that previous awardedevent). Box 416 is left for box 420.

The actions corresponding to box 420 are those taken to change anyexisting visual pictures, notices, advertisements, etc., associated withthe previous tickets and visible to players. If there is no replacementblock of allocated tickets, then the notices will be changed to genericattract mode pictures, etc. If there is a replacement block of tickets,the preferred embodiment is to change all the attract mode and otheradvertising to the newly available event, travel package, etc. Asalways, the choice will be the casinos.

Flow diagram 4C illustrates a method for handling the rare but possibleevent of having a player trigger a ticket issuing event, but when theonline database is used to transfer ticket ownership to the casino (andthereafter to the player), there are no tickets available. Starting atbox 422, players are notified that solely at the casino's option, theremay be a cash award given instead of any non-cash award at any time.This will preferably be printed on the artwork of any games which mayhave individual events associated with tickets, near the “malfunctionvoids all pays” notice. If the award is from a shared bonus orprogressive, the notice should be shown with the bonus announcements orsignage, or, if the award is not automatically won upon the occurrenceof an event (is given based on non-game events at the casino'sdiscretion) is not needed (the online database will be used to purchasea specific ticket just prior to it being awarded; if no ticket isavailable, the award event will simply be internally cancelled and anypotentially involved players will never know of the potential event).

However it is done, there must be a permanent notice to this effectvisible to players. Continuing from box 422 to box 424, the action is agame event occurring that is associated with a ticket. Continuing intobox 426, the casino's system attempts to purchase an individual ticket,but cannot (for any reason). Box 426 is left for box 428, where theactions taken include those needed to inform the player that the ticketis no longer available (package cancelled, sold out, etc.) and that thecasino must use its cash equivalent option. The player is then given thecash equivalent of the ticket that could not be awarded (this is alwaysa known amount, as explained above). This avoids problems in theunlikely, but possible, event that a ticket that has been won cannot beissued for reasons outside the casino's control.

FIG. 5 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, where the tickets will be used in high-frequency win events.“High frequency” means a situation where it is minimally expected that aplurality of tickets will be won per week, and it is further withinprobabilistic expectations that a plurality of tickets may be won perday. In a preferred embodiment, this will be accomplished usingregularly occurring events of a given type (regular season baseballgames at a local stadium, regularly schedule concert events, etc.).Tickets will be allocated in the 100s rather than in the 10s, and in thepreferred embodiment will comprise a rotating set of allocated blocks,overlapping in terms of time deadlines. Thus, if the tickets are forbaseball games, then the preferred embodiment would be to allocateblocks of tickets by series (typically 3 or so baseball games against asingle visiting opponent), with the agreement covering the entireregular season. Thus, there would be allocated blocks of tickets by2/3/4-game series, each series being considered one block of tickets.The tickets would be awarded by blocks as the season goes along, withall blocks being considered useable by the casino at the start of theseason, conceptually crating a plurality of active, time-overlappedpools or blocks of allocated tickets. Each block would be awarded intime sequence; upon the tickets for a series being sold out or uponticket time expiration, a new block would become active and would becomeassociated with the game events. Pools would be rotated through in thismanner until the end of the season.

Having multiple active pools of allocated tickets is not restricted tothe same type of event; the concept is readily usable with anytime-overlapped pools of allocated tickets/packages.

Starting at box 500, there will be a set of pools (each pool being anallocated block of tickets) made available to a casino, with a subset ofthe pools having overlapping times of availability on any given date,with additional pools becoming available as time goes on, replacingexpired or exhausted pools. The pools will have an equivalent value orlevel, usable for associating with the same win events in a game, bonus,or progressive. A set of overlapping pools is selected by the casino.Box 500 is left for box 502, where the value of a ticket (selectablefrom any of the active selected pools) is associated with a game event,bonus round event, or progressive event (it is expected that this willbe used primarily with individual game events and bonus events). Box 502is left for box 504, which corresponds to the action of a player playinga game on which a triggering event occurs. Upon the occurrence of thetriggering event the player is presented with a plurality of choices,preferably using screen-type displays as shown in FIG. 3. Continuinginto box 506, the player uses a designating player input device (aphysical button or touch-screen position) to make a choice. Upon makinga choice, the player is awarded a ticket of his choice.

The line from box 506 to 508 is dotted, indicating a different portionof the process that some casinos may not use. Up to this point in theflow diagram, multiple pools could be open, and they could all have thesame expiration date. One significant additive feature was that byhaving a plurality of open pools, a player could make a choice betweentickets upon the occurrence of a single win event. Continuing into box508, it is now assumed that one pool becomes unusable (exhausted,expires before the other open pools, etc.) That one pool is nowde-allocated (is not a choice to be shown to a player upon theoccurrence of a winning event), after the casino's backend system isnotified by the online system. Box 508 is left and box 510 entered. Theactions corresponding to box 510 are those associated with selecting atleast one available pool to replace the just deactivated pool. Upon theoccurrence of a winning event, the player will be shown a selection thatnow includes the newly associated pool.

Note that the discussion for FIG. 5 involved a plurality of pools;however, the last two boxes represent a process that could work wellwith single pool choices as well. In such cases, the player would beshown the currently active pool choice only.

The present invention has been partially described using a flow diagram.As will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art and withthe benefit of the present disclosure, steps described in the flowdiagram can vary as to order, content, allocation of resources betweensteps, times repeated, and similar variations while staying fully withinthe inventive concepts disclosed herein.

Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides a system andmethod using additional game attract modes based on travel packageawards (or other time-sensitive awards), while allowing a casino tooffer these types of prizes without incurring upfront costs of thetickets, and further without the risk of having unused tickets when thetime for use is passed by. This is enabled using the real-timeconnection to an agency or provider of the awards (travel packages,sporting events) coupled with the dynamic displays viewable by players.Although the description above contains certain specificity, thedescribed embodiments should not be construed indicating the scope ofthe invention; the descriptions given are providing an illustration ofcertain preferred embodiments of the invention.

1. A method for awarding time-sensitive tickets in a gaming environment,the method comprising: establishing access between a ticket databasemanaged by a ticket provider and a backend computer in a gamingestablishment, wherein the backend computer is in communication with oneor more gaming machines; reserving a first block of time-sensitivetickets for a first event having a specific date and time from theticket database to the gaming establishment, wherein the first block ofone or more time-sensitive tickets are purchasable by the gamingestablishment; assigning one or more tickets from the first block oftime-sensitive tickets with one or more winning events in one or moregaming machines using the backend computer; presenting associationsbetween the one or more tickets from the first block time-sensitivetickets and the one or more winning events on the one or more gamingmachines; transmitting the associations between the tickets and thewinning events from the backend computer to one or more gaming machines;purchasing one or more tickets from the ticket database in response tothe one or more winning events being established in one or more gamingmachines; awarding one or more tickets to a player at the gaming machinein response to the one or more winning events occurring during play ofthe gaming machine by the player; removing associations between thefirst block of time-sensitive tickets and the one or more winning eventswhen the date of first event has past; and assigning a second block oftime-sensitive tickets with one or more winning events in one or moregaming machines after the date of first event has past.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing the player with an option toselect one or more tickets in response to one or more winning events. 3.A method for awarding time-sensitive tickets in a gaming environment,the method comprising: establishing access between a ticket databasemanaged by a ticket provider and a backend computer in a gamingestablishment, wherein the backend computer is in communication with oneor more gaming machines; reserving a first block of time-sensitivetickets from the ticket database to the gaming establishment, whereinone or more time-sensitive tickets from the first block of tickets arepurchasable by the gaming establishment; assigning one or moretime-sensitive tickets from the first block with one or more winninggame events in one or more gaming machines using the backend computer;presenting a first notice one the one or more gaming machines that thefirst block of tickets are awards for one or more winning events on theone or more gaming machines; determining whether one or more gameoutcomes are winning game events in one or more gaming machines andusing the backend computer to purchase one or more time-sensitivetickets from the first block from the ticket database in response to thewinning game event; awarding one or more time-sensitive tickets at thegaming machine to a player in response to winning game events occurringduring play of the gaming machine by the player; and receiving a messagefrom the ticket database that tickets from the first block allocated tothe gaming establishment are no longer available; assigning a secondblock of tickets with one or more winning game events in one or moregaming machines using the backend computer; and presenting a secondnotice on the one or more gaming machines that the second block ofticket are awards for one or more winning game events.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising providing the player with an option toselect one or more tickets for one or more winning game event.
 5. Agaming system capable of awarding time-sensitive tickets in a gamingenvironment, comprising: a ticket sales system having access to a ticketdatabase; a gaming establishment network computer in communication withthe ticket sales system, wherein the gaming establishment networkcomputer is configured to monitor the ticket database and to reserve orpurchase one or more time-sensitive tickets; and a plurality ofnetworked gaming machines, wherein the gaming machines are incommunication with the gaming establishment network computer, whereinthe networked gaming machines award time-sensitive tickets in responseto one or more winning game events; wherein the gaming establishmentnetwork receives notification from the ticket database that one or moretime-sensitive tickets are no longer available as an award for a winningoutcome, and the gaming establishment network associates newtime-sensitive tickets with one or more winning game events.
 6. Thegaming system of claim 5, wherein the networked gaming machines includeone or more displays that are in communication with the gamingestablishment network computer, wherein one or more displays presentinformation regarding time-sensitive tickets as prizes for one or morewinning game outcomes.
 7. The gaming system of claim 5, furthercomprising a gaming display associated with the plurality of gamingmachines, wherein the gaming display is in communication with the gamingestablishment network computer, and wherein the gaming display presentsinformation regarding time-sensitive tickets as prizes for one or morewinning game outcomes.
 8. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein thegaming establishment network computer is in real-time communication withthe ticket sales system via an Internet connection, wide area networkconnection, or a local area network connection.
 9. The gaming system ofclaim 5, wherein the gaming machines are in communication with thegaming establishment network computer via one or more floor controllers.